June 08, 2014

Sunday Brunch: a feast of links for June 8th

Well, I missed brunch last week, and I apologize for that. The end of the school year always takes my breath away, and I needed some breathing room. The girls have been on summer break for four days now, and I feel like we are kind of getting our feet under us. Kind of.

Joining the OKC Metro Library System's summer reading program has really brought some fun and healthy competition to our days! Our library program is for people from birth to adults, so all of us are logging reading sessions (20 minutes per session). The girls can BOTH read to the boys now, and I've been tickled to see them racking up reading points both reading to themselves and to the boys. Oh, books. How would we survive summer without you?

Speaking of reading, how about some Sunday links?

Unfolding the newspaper

In 2011, Afghanistan was named the most dangerous place in the world for women. This article at CNN highlights entertainer Aryana Sayeed's mission to bring the hope of empowerment and progress to the women of her home country. It is jolting to remember that even in 2014, women receive death threats for daring to dress in clothing that is deemed modest in Western culture. If nothing else, looking through the slideshow of pictures contrasting women in pre- and post-Taliban rule: The Afghan voice that won't be silenced, CNN

Things to think about

"Looking back, I know I was told many of these things when I was young, but some lessons just go over your head. I wish these things had grabbed hold of me. I wish I knew how strong I could be. I wish I had that fearlessness that I see flash in my little girls’ eyes. I write this list for them. These are the things I want them to know deep down." -- "What I Wish I Had Known," Beautiful Things (hands-down best read of the week for me)

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"I settled then, very mechanically at first, on allowing my work, my drawing, my coloring, and my inspiration to derive itself from subject matter that was very specifically about healing. But also beauty. Desperate for both. My colorway names are derived from a prayer for travelers, as the tiniest additional plea from me. And yes it is attached to something that certainly does not require such an outpouring of emotion or even thought, only being fabric. But you see, there was no other possible way for me to do it if I could not create all of it at once, just like this and convince myself (a lie perhaps) that doing so in this exact way would certainly help." -- "Pretty Close," Anna Maria Horner

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Catching up with neighbors (posts from y'all!)

Sometimes, if you've run in natural living circles for a long time, it can become a burden to live up to high expectations. It becomes especially difficult in seasons of pure survival mode. I enjoyed my friend Beth's list of 19 Natural Living Compromises I'm Willing To Make In Survival Mode. Although reading her list reminds me of how far I've permanently slipped from my old crunchy ways. I'm confident the Green Mamas Police will be coming for my Crunchy Card any day now! (Red and Honey)

Even though my girls are older, we are constantly working with them on manners. This post from Aimee on Our Guidelines for Good Manners Around the Table was a breath of fresh air for me. I think we may be doing a few things right! (Simple Bites)

Don't forget the best way to keep SortaCrunchy in your Facebook feed is to like, comment on, and share what you find there!

Looking forward to this week

Okay, put away your judgy-eyes. One of my all-time favorite series ever created is Orange is the New Black (Netflix Original). Yes, yes. It's gritty and graphic and it is not for everyone. BUT the storytelling is amazing and the acting is superb. Season 2 was released on Friday, and Kyle and I have watched through episode four now. If I had no kids and no pressing responsibilities, you better believe I would planted on the couch watching it all the way through without stopping! As it is, we've been parceling them out two per post-bedtime-couch-date, and it is INCREDIBLE. Can't wait to see it all!

Hope this early part of June treats you well! Thanks for hanging out with me!

Comments

Sunday Brunch: a feast of links for June 8th

Well, I missed brunch last week, and I apologize for that. The end of the school year always takes my breath away, and I needed some breathing room. The girls have been on summer break for four days now, and I feel like we are kind of getting our feet under us. Kind of.

Joining the OKC Metro Library System's summer reading program has really brought some fun and healthy competition to our days! Our library program is for people from birth to adults, so all of us are logging reading sessions (20 minutes per session). The girls can BOTH read to the boys now, and I've been tickled to see them racking up reading points both reading to themselves and to the boys. Oh, books. How would we survive summer without you?